Risk Factors for Youth Suicide

Risk factors for suicide refer to personal or environmental characteristics that are associated with suicide. The environment includes the social and cultural environment as well as the physical environment. People affected by one or more of these risk factors may have a greater probability of suicidal behavior. Some risk factors cannot be changed, such as a previous suicide attempt, but they can be used to help identify someone who may be vulnerable to suicide.

There is no single, agreed upon list of risk factors. The list below summarizes the risk factors identified by the most recent research.

Behavioral Health Issues/Disorders:

Depressive disorders

Substance abuse or dependence (alcohol and other drugs)

Conduct/disruptive behavior disorders

Other disorders (e.g., anxiety disorders, personality disorders)

Previous suicide attempts

Self-injury (without intent to die)

Genetic/biological vulnerability (mainly abnormalities in serotonin functioning, which can lead to some of the behavioral health problems listed above)

Adverse/Stressful Life Circumstances

Interpersonal difficulties or losses (e.g., breaking up with a girlfriend or boyfriend)

Disciplinary or legal problems

Bullying, either as victim or perpetrator

School or work problems (e.g., actual or perceived difficulties in school or work, not attending school or work, not going to college)

Physical, sexual, and or psychological abuse

Chronic physical illness or disability

Exposure to suicide of peer

Risky Behaviors

Alcohol or drug use

Delinquency

Aggressive/violent behavior

Risky sexual behavior

Family Characteristics

Family history of suicide or suicidal behavior

Parental mental health problems

Parental divorce

Death of parent or other relative

Problems in parent-child relationship (e.g., feelings of detachment from parents, inability to talk with family members, interpersonal conflicts, family financial problems, family violence or abuse, parenting style either under protective or overprotective and highly critical)

Environmental Factors

Negative social and emotional environment at school, including negative attitudes, beliefs, feelings,and interactions of staff and students

Lack of acceptance of differences

Expression and acts of hostility

Lack of respect and fair treatment

Lack of respect for the cultures of all students

Limitations in school physical environment, including lack of safety and security

Weapons on campus

Poorly lit areas conducive to bullying and violence

Limited access to mental health care

Access to lethal means, particularly in the home

Exposure to other suicides, leading to suicide contagion

Exposure to stigma and discrimination against students based on sexual orientation; gender identity; race and ethnicity; disability; or physical characteristics, such as being overweight.

Stigma and discrimination lead to:

Victimization and bullying by others, lack of support from and rejection by family and peers, dropping out of school, lack of access to work opportunities and health care

Internalized homophobia, stress from being different and not accepted, and stress around disclosure of being gay, which can lead to low self-esteem, social isolation, and decreased help-seeking

Stress due to the need to adapt to a different culture, especially reconciling differences between one's family and the majority culture, which can lead to family conflict and rejection.